Item 4. Report of the Executive Committee on the Actions since the 40th Session in April 2013

The second talk highlighted the enormous power of computing for analysis of the millions of animal movement records at national or regional scale, and illustrated this with progress made in the US where quality of information is poor in comparison to Europe; if it could be done there, much more could be achieved in Europe if data was made available from national sources. An EuFMD wide, or EU wide (or even partial EU) model could be extremely important to answer questions on which regions would be of most importance as sources and which most affected in a crisis; and could become the most efficient and datadriven model of them all since in EU there exist very useful national databases.

The Chairman thanked all speakers for the excellent and thought-provoking papers, and the STC for their efforts and commitment over the past years to providing advice and guidance to the Executive.

Dr Sumption introduced the report on the work programme carried out in the past two years (Appendix 9) The Highlights report (Appendix 10) and full reports by Component have been provided to the MS in advance of the Session, and every six months to the Executive Committee Sessions. He reflected that the programme since the 40th Session has been among the most intense ever for the Commission, reflecting the ambition of the Strategic Plan with its Three Pillars and the 13 Component Workplan agreed between the Executive and the EC. The 24-month funding agreement on the basis of long term work plans (agreed at the start of the programme as opposed to the a series of proposals by the Executive Committee) had been the key to ensuring clarity with all parties involved and better programming of actions. The use of a resultoriented planning (40 outcomes each with budget and time frame) and a high emphasis on Component managers to communicate and co-ordinate with member states has helped ensure both a demand driven set of activities and a good record on delivery. This has shown its benefits and enabled a feeling that the actions being undertaken are closer to the needs of the member states than in the previous periods.

Major elements of the Pillar I, II and III programmes were then presented by Component Managers and for Pillar III, the perspective of FAO and OIE was presented to ensure the context of the EuFMD support was understood.

Pillar I: Report on activities undertaken to support emergency preparedness in the EuFMD Member States

The Report on Pillar I activities, in which the Veterinary Services of the Member States are direct beneficiaries, was given by Dr Maud with reference to Component 1.1 (training activities) and Dr Rosso with reference to the other components.

Component 1.1 Training

The presentation (Appendix 11) drew attention to the

Credit system A training credit system was implemented to ensure training needs are met through a demand driven program. To date 93 % of training credits spent or allocated to upcoming courses. Focal points for each country were nominated and periodic questionnaires provided to assess ongoing training needs and receive nominations for courses. Relationship established with focal points has allowed recent telephone consultation exercise on training needs.

Real time trainings Real-Time courses have been run in English, French and Russian, in Kenya and Turkey, and webinars and online training are now regular (1-2 per week) events. Following the positive review at the 40th Session in April 2013, the programme for Real Time training courses in Nepal for participants from Australia was extended in 2014 and 2015. Central to the contract is the agreement that it will bring direct benefits to

EuFMD Member States, and these in 2014-15 include funding of a significant proportion of the set-up costs of the EuFMD e-Learning training platform and the position of the Training Support Officer.

E-learning and training resources The development of e-learning courses was initially undertaken to ensure pre-course and post-course training of vets joining the Real-Time Training Courses. The success of the e-learning stimulated wider trials of e-learning for the Training Network and, as a result, the EC translated the course into all EU and neighbourhood major languages. It has been run in French and Russian in 2014 and 2015. The e-learning website integrates the course resources and includes recordings of all presentations given at the Open Session, the webinars now used extensively across EuFMD’s work programme, and enables the training to reach far more trainees than could be possible by face to face training. By the 41st General Session close to 1500 registered users have been through EuFMD courses and meetings and use the online training resources site.

Demand driven developments Member states have asked to use training credits, or their own budgets, to buy additional places and to launch national versions of the emergency (e-learning) course. This demand from national training focal points for resources to enable their own national training by efficient e-learning and blended learning has taught the EuFMD a lot about what MS desire from support. In 2015, we expect about six online courses for national (MS) users in addition to the English and Russian courses. Overall, about 50 countries have participated in training across the three Pillars.

What has been learnt to take forward into the future programme:  The training credits system is working, but can be further improved, encouraging a longer term planning of training needs and courses, improved two way communication with focal points. The latter may be one way to better ensure trainees selected are most suitable and also to better meet their country’s training needs.  The need to equip national trainers (through resources including translated courses, job aids), which may require more focus on “training the trainer” to enable better national training courses, and tools to assist them (including engaging with their livestock sectors).  Development of new courses to support growing/newly identified needs (Vaccination, Contingency planning, simulation exercises, Risk Based Surveillance).  The importance of building an enabling environment for national trainers/trainees, across all three pillars (Additional e-learning resources developed, but also Quality assurance and impact assessment).  Seek partnerships for delivery of training where necessary and accreditation of training courses to ensure quality.

Component 1.2 Support contingency planning of Members and at European level – Developing decision support tools for managers

(Appendix 12 covers the PPT for Components 1.2-1.5)

The Component (1.2) on Modelling and Contingency Planning was launched as separate entity from the Training programme (1.1) in August 2014, following a strong demand from MS for the networks on modelling and contingency planning. The interest has continued to be strong and the programme is complementary without overlap to the SANTE/FVO efforts to improve the quality and testing of contingency plans in the MS. A EuFMD modelling network has been established and is growing. Training resources for modelling have been developed. An inventory of models and other decision support tools implemented and a prototype model for the rapid assessment of FMD impacts (Royal Veterinary College, UK) started to be developed. Contingency planners have been supported with a Knowledge Bank which was developed to facilitate the network between CP managers and as inventory of information useful to improve the contingency plans.

What has been learnt to take forward into the future programme:

 High international interest in the Modelling network and its webinar series.  Further development and refinement of an accessible and easy-to-use calculator to assess the socio-economic impact of FMD and resources needed.  Gaps in guidance/tools for MS on contingency planning: particularly areas of Risk Communication,

Diagnostic Banks and Planning Simulation Exercises, categorization and definitions of CP exercises  Strong cross-EuFMD interest in support on vaccination issues for CPs.

Component 1.3 Surveillance for FMD and other infections under the co-ordination programme in Thrace

A coordination framework between Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey has been established with regular management and tripartite meetings, enabling a targeted risk based surveillance to be implemented for almost two years which gives confidence to the freedom from FMD in European Turkey and the border areas of Greece and Bulgaria. A web based database was developed and implemented for the data collection, management and analysis with a model to calculate the progressive probability of freedom from FMD over time. Laboratories of the three countries are regularly supported with diagnostic material. Following requests from the countries concerned and decisions at the Tripartite meetings in 2013 and 2014, the FMD surveillance programme in the three countries was extended to include Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), Sheep and Goat Pox (SGP) and Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) and a model to assist the planning of the surveillance developed. A mission was conducted with experts from the three countries to assist national preparedness/Contingency Planning for LSD in the Thrace region in relation to the threat of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) to Thrace. A moderate increase in the original budget (of circa 50,000 USD) was agreed to enable this.

What has been learnt to take forward into the future programme:  The programme and its management structure has been important for continuous collaboration between countries.  The value in return of the essential support provided for targeted risk-based surveillance, which has encouraged and enabled actions to improve awareness and reporting.  Value of the model developed for FMD to the surveillance performance and design for other diseases (e.g. PPR).  Need for contingency planning for the event of cases being found, and to review the capacity needed for containment if Turkey chose to cease FMD vaccination in Turkish Thrace.  The applicability of the risk based surveillance programme to other high risk border regions or other regions for confidence in disease freedom.

Component 1.4 Support for the development of FMD emergency capacity in the Balkan region

Weakness in contingency planning in some countries in the Western Balkans has been a concern for some time and the programme had a focus on demonstrating why CP are essential if FMD is to be managed and not turn into a regional disaster, through desktop and field testing of current level of CPs. Leader countries in the project have been Serbia, Bulgaria and FYROM with the other Western Balkan non-EU territories (+Croatia and Moldova) involved in workshops and an observers. The establishment of network of National Focal Points and Laboratory Sub-network Contact Points has been important, and in itself could be vital in case of real outbreak in the area for mutual support and exchange of information between countries. After a series of workshops, a first major simulation exercise was undertaken in January 2015 with a second exercise planned in June.

What has been learnt to take forward into the future programme:  In very small countries with limited personnel, there is a need to provide targeted assistance to complete CPs and operational manuals.  Importance of including Turkey in the activities, since they are particularly relevant to Turkish Thrace where contingency planning is essential for control of FMD cases should they occur Improving the sustainability through developing agreements on mutual assistance.  Developing the capacity of the countries to manage their own exercises to test CPs.

 Potential for use of Serbo-Croatian versions of the e-learning FEPC and other training material (job aids) for multiple territories in this area.

Discussion The participants indicated their agreement and appreciation. Dr Alexandrov (BG) highlighted the benefit of having implemented a joint programme for multiple disease and requested to include training activities for multiple diseases in the future training programme. Dr Füssel (EC) stated that the programme helps in maintaining high attention in the area which is considered at high risk for the possible incursion of FMD and other transboundary diseases. Dr Domenech (OIE) mentioned that it is important to maintain the focus on FMD and include other diseases in the surveillance activities when there is an evident cost/benefit impact without affecting the capacity to reach the main objectives of improve the FMD preparedness which is the mandate of the activity carried out.

Pillar II: Report on activities undertaken to reduce risk from the European neighbourhood.

The reports on Pillar II were provided by Drs McLaws and Eldaghayes (Appendix 13). The work in the neighbourhood has been supported under three components, covering the three groups of MS at most risk of FMD, being Turkey/Georgia (Component 2.1), Cyprus/Israel (2.2) and those MS bordering the Mediterranean that participate in REMESA (2.3). The common aspect to this work has been the focus on assisting countries to progress in management of FMD through the Progressive Control Pathway (PCP), which ensures, under GF-TADS, that progress will be monitored by the Roadmap process (West Eurasia and Middle-East) or under REMESA for north Africa. An emergency response had to be mounted following FMD in Tunisia and Algeria and subsequently the workplan for the REMESA countries was altered to address the change in situation. The progress in Turkey, Georgia, Egypt and Palestine has been reported and assessed in Regional Roadmaps and REMESA meetings and has provided a good example to others.

Component 2.1 Risk reduction in South-East Europe

Dr McLaws reported on this component, whose activities were aimed to support management of the FMD risk in Turkey and Georgia and to reduce the risk to these members from the neighbours (most of which are in the West Eurasia Roadmap). Most effort has been upon the development of the Risk-Based Strategic Plan (RBSP) in Turkey and Georgia and the establishment of capacity to monitor the implementation of their national RBSP. Following request from the Russian Federation and in line with protection of Turkey/Georgia, a workshop for Trans Caucasus countries, Turkey and Russian federation, on “Improved FMD surveillance in the common borders region” was held in Ankara in January 2015. EuFMD continued to supply significant technical support to the West Eurasia Roadmap meetings (Astana, 2014; Almaty April 2015) and through a series of webinars in English and Russian to support the Laboratory and Epidemiology Networks.

What has been learnt to take forward into the future programme:

 Progress has been made in establishing the RBSP in Turkey and Georgia, and there is now need for progress on the RBSPs in Armenia and Azerbaijan (in line with the Roadmap recommendations).  Establishing competent monitoring and epidemiology units in those countries that have entered

PCP Stage 2 is valuable and enables VS to monitor program implementation and impact.  The need for a program of training courses in Russian language for the countries of W Eurasia, and to deliver these in a significant way in co-ordination with OIE and FAO.  Surveillance in THRACE needs to reflect the changing risk situation in Anatolia/West Eurasia.  There is need for further development of the regional outbreak and vaccination database to assist risk management in the common border regions of Turkey/Georgia with their neighbours in the

Caucasus countries, Iran, Iraq and Syria.

Component 2.2 Improve FMD management in the neighbourhood of Cyprus and Israel

The activities under component 2.2 were aimed at improving FMD management in the neighbourhood of Cyprus and Israel in order to support progressive control of FMD in the neighbourhood, and in this phase

focused on achieving PCP progress in Palestine and Egypt. A series of PCP workshops and related missions and supervised activities were conducted with the aim of both Palestine and Egypt completing PCP Stage 1 with the development of their national RBSP. Joint meetings where possible with Israel and Palestinian VS represented where held associated with most missions, for co-ordination and communication. Positive progress was evident with excellent working relations, achieved despite security issues in both countries.

What has been learnt to take forward into the future programme:

 Both Palestine and Egypt to finalize their RBSP for adoption at national level and submission for acceptance to GF-TADS; future support to assist the move to monitoring implementation and impact (PCP Stage2).  Potential for similar RBSP/PCP progress support to Lebanon and Jordan, being both neighbours of

Israel and members of REMESA.  Greater networking between Arabic speaking epidemiologists and risk managers, associated with the Pillar II training programme, for capacity development for typical tasks required in PCP stages 1 and 2.

Component 2.3 Support to REMESA

The EuFMD Strategy and work programme for the countries along the south and east Mediterranean has been to support REMESA with workplan actions agreed or modified at six-monthly Joint Planning Committee (JPC) of REMESA. The difference in health status/PCP stage of countries in REMESA required different activities in Libya /Mauritania (PCP Stage 1) and Tunisia/Algeria/Morocco (OIE endorsed FMD control programmes). The former have been assisted to move towards national RBSP, but security issues have prevented half of the planned workshops in Libya. The breakdown of FMD control in Tunisia and the overspill into Algeria resulted in accelerated support for simulation exercises and serosurveillance. The planned monitoring programme on the high risk Tunisia/Libya border has been postponed during the crisis but needs revisiting after the workshop to review lessons learnt from the type O epidemic, in July 2015. The report by Dr Eldaghayes illustrated how Libya has used the experience of the EuFMD Real-Time Training Course in Kenya in January 2013 to roll-out national level training, and how the improved typing of FMD has followed. He reported a significant improvement in control of FMD since the crisis of early 2014.

The EuFMD support to other North African countries was presented: - Tunisia: Providing ELISA kits, missions, workshops, Online Emergency Preparedness Course for 25 vets last August 2014 and leaflets in Arabic and French. - Algeria: Providing ELISA kits, Online Emergency Preparedness Course for 25 vets last August 2014 and leaflets in Arabic and French. - Morocco: ELISA kits, Online Emergency Preparedness Course for 25 vets last August 2014 and leaflets in Arabic and French. - Mauritania: NSP ELISA kits and 1st PCP workshop last February 2015. The 2nd workshop will be carried out on the 1st week of May. - Senegal: A workshop in Dakar on 3-4 June 2014, with representatives from Mauritania, Senegal and Mali to implement a cross-border approach in the fight against FMD and improved networking between laboratories and veterinary services in the region.

What has been learnt to take forward into the future programme:  A workshop will be held in July 2015 in North Africa to discuss the previous FMD outbreak, analyse the gaps, turning “Lessons Learnt” into a revised regional strategy for reducing risk to those aiming to regain or maintain endorsed country programmes.  Strong demand for training appropriate to the national needs and health status; a “Demand-led training system” for non-EU REMESA countries, and EuFMD role in the training credit approach could ensure efficient use of courses relevant to the needs and languages in common use of the REMESA countries.

Discussion The participants indicated their general agreement. Dr Domenech (OIE) stated that the support given by EuFMD was very useful for neighbour countries and added that a regional vaccine bank has been set up for North African countries involved in the REMESA framework. The Chairman, Dr Herzog, then took the time to thank Dr McLaws for her major contribution to FMD control with the EuFMD through the development and application of the PCP in many countries in West Eurasia and the Middle-East and in the provision of guidance and tools to the OIE/FAO Working Group for application in the Global Strategy. He wished her well for the return to Canada with her family.

Pillar III: Report on activities undertaken in support of the GF-TADS Global FMD Control

The EuFMD Strategy from the 40th Session has been to support (about 20% of budget) the Global Strategy, with the workplan for the three components in Pillar III being agreed with FAO and OIE. The requests of the GF-TADS FMD Working Group (FMD-WG) for support have been accommodated wherever possible, and decisions of the Executive Committee have included a moderate increase in support to the PCP Component to meet the request for expertise to assist the FMD-WG with Roadmap Meetings and guidance.

Dr Metwally, for FAO and Dr Domenech, for OIE, provided reports to the Session on progress of the Global Strategy and actions of the two organizations over the past two years (Appendices 14 and 15); and Drs Bartels and van Maanen reported on the EuFMD support provided (Appendix 16) for the PCP development and roll-out, and in support of better Global Laboratory Surveillance (mainly through the contract with WRL-FMD at Pirbright). Dr Bartels and Dr van Maanen gave their presentation, via Adobe Connect, from Egypt, where they were engaged on a EuFMD mission, demonstrating the webinar software currently used by EuFMD.

Component 3.1 Support to Global Progress Monitoring

Activities under component 3.1 involve the provision of support to the FAO-OIE GF-TADs FMD Working Group on the Global Strategy for FMD Control. Dr Metwally presented on behalf of FAO, outlining activities carried out in support of the Global Strategy in the last 2 years by the FAO-OIE GF-TADs FMD Working Group. FAO’s activities in FMD control are under three of the FAO Strategic Objectives, and contribute to eradication of hunger, provision of goods and services from agriculture, and the resilience of livelihoods. Recent examples of FAO activities in support of FMD control have included missions and activities to provide assistance in capacity development for diagnosis, epidemiology, control strategies, monitoring and evaluation. Diagnostic kits and vaccines have also been provided. Beneficiary countries have included the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Uganda, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Sri Lanka, China, Mongolia and Russia.FAO projects on FMD and PPR control are ongoing in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Dr Metwally drew attention to technological developments including the EMPRES-I mobile application, currently being tested as a tool for surveillance, and the BETA version of the Open FMD database, containing virological data openly accessible to FMD scientists.

Regional PCP-FMD Roadmap meetings have been held with the second roadmap meeting for SAARC countries held in October 2014 and the 2nd East Africa roadmap meeting held in October 2014. Funding constraints have limited the number of regional roadmap meetings held. EuFMD has supported the development of a report on the global FMD control status, and this will be published in 2015.

PCP training for FAO staff has been provided in Rome and East Africa, with assistance in the provision of trainers by EuFMD. Guidelines are in development, including on FMD socioeconomics.

Future activities for the Working Group include:

• A joint concept note with OIE, to allow resource mobilisation for FMD control.

• A number of technical workshops, to be organized with assistance from EuFMD. • Publication of the second edition of the PCP guidelines, and finalise socio-economic and post vaccination monitoring guidelines. • With assistance of EuFMD, establish and train a global FMD PCP support network.

Dr Domenech then followed with a presentation on behalf of OIE. He emphasised the role of the FAO/OIE FMD laboratory network in co-ordinating global surveillance, ensuring consistency in nomenclature and providing regional vaccine recommendations. He outlined the OIE role in endorsement of FMD control plans at PCP stage 3, and official OIE free status (with/without vaccination) in PCP stages 4 and 5. He reported that the regional roadmap meetings have been a valuable tool in implementation of the Global Strategy, allowing countries to share experiences, co-operate, review and monitor progress in a structured and transparent way.

Dr Domenech also outlined OIE activities in disease information and reporting (through the WAHIS information system) and also activities related to ensuring standards through the Terrestrial Animal Health code. The FMD-PCP is closely linked to the OIE PVS pathway, and OIE’s support in capacity development of veterinary services is vital in progression on FMD control. The OIE laboratory twinning programme has also allowed laboratory capacity development. The Scientific Commission for Animal Diseases (SCAD) FMD Ad Hoc Group is engaged in recognition of country FMD status, and the endorsement of FMD control plans. Currently, there are 67 Countries officially free from FMD, 13 countries having at least one zone free from FMD and four countries with an official control programme endorsed by the OIE.

The OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code chapter 8.6 on FMD has been updated and the changes will be presented at the OIE General Session in May 2015 for adoption. There are no major changes but simplification and clarification of some areas (e.g. surveillance), and more flexibility in others (e.g. for recovery status).

OIE is involved, with partners, in a number of regional projects to support FMD control. These include the OIE South-East Asia and China FMD SEACFMD Campaign and the Eastern Asia OIE/JTF Project on FMD Control for Asia. An OIE FMD Unit for Central Asia has recently been established in Astana, Kazakhstan. OIE has also provided support to the REMESA secretariat, with workshops in 2013 and 14 to assist countries to prepare submissions on PPR and FMD status and endorsement of control plans.

Dr Domenech ended his final presentation to the EuFMD General Session (see item 12) with the conclusion that the PCP-FMD approach is gradually gaining acceptance, and that global FMD control is feasible, and can be a driver to wider improvements in animal health systems. Engagement of policymakers, international and regional organisations, and particularly adequate funding, are needed to support and sustain FMD control under the PCP. Additionally, vaccination issues should be better addressed by governing authorities and the research community. Lastly, Dr Domenech noted that the experiences and successes of the FMD-PCP have inspired the recent launch of the Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) control and eradication strategy.

Component 3.2 Global PCP-FMD support

Dr Bartels presented the programme developed under component 3.2. aimed at enhancing international capacity for the application of the PCP-FMD through development of tools, guidelines and knowledge transfer.

A program of actions was provided to assist FAO and OIE, including: a) Producing training material for the PCP risk-assessment plan (RAP) for countries entering PCP-FMD Stage 1; for the RBSP: risk-based strategy plan for entering PCP-FMD Stage 2; and for the NCP: national control plan for entering PCP-FMD Stage 3; b) Guidelines on outbreak investigation, post-vaccination monitoring, sero-surveys, economic impact, and risk analysis along value-chain;